Has anybody been?

<BR>We spent a day in Roatan 2 weeks ago while on a cruise. We just loved it. Be prepared for a rather primitive island. it is beautiful. The ship ran its diving tour through there. we went snorkeling on our own at half moon bay which was quite nice and also had lodging. Food is safe and just excellent on the island. Accomodations look nice, but hardly the Ritz. We heard from those who went to Anthony's that it was nice....island appears to be in the beginning stages of development. Go now!

Sounds nice. Where is it and how does one get there. Any web site available. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance

We spent a glorious week here in January this year. It was fantastic. It's for divers and snorkelers, though, so if you are not into those things you might find it boring. The food's great, the snorkeling is great and the place is really, really wonderful. <BR> <BR>If you go, get the old fashioned rooms and skip the air conditioning. The newer units are not well placed. <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

<BR>Roatan is 40 miles off the coast of Honduras and is considered Honduras.

Thanks, I found it very intresting that just last night on the Diane Sawyer show on ABC that there was a story regarding piracy right off Honduras. In fact a young boy was shot and almost bled to death as the parents sailed the boat to Roatan for help. He did survive and is in Texas at a Children's Hospital but will probably never walk again.

Last month there were two college students from Ohio murdered there. The weird part of the article I read said that they were the 5th murders that month. Why wasn't anything reported? I made this post on another board and it was deleted.

Actually the two girls from Antioch College were in Costa Rica. It is a different country, although it is in Central America. While we were in St Martin in 1997 there were several horrible crimes against tourist couples on a semi-deserted beach. You really need to keep your head when you are in a remote place, no matter what the country is.

My best friend works at the Institute of Marine Sciences which operates in conjunction with Anthony's. I have been to visit her twice this year and enjoyed Roatan very much. Anthony's is the most expensive and touristy lodging on the island. There are many places to stay on the West End which is where most of the dive shops and restaurants are located. A beach front cabin can be had for $50 - $75 a night - and these are the high end prices. The island is very primitive but very this makes for a very relaxed trip. I highly recommend going to the Marine Institute to swim with the dolphins - or dive if you are certified. The Carambola Botanical Gardens are beautiful (in Sandy Bay just across the road from Anthony's and IMS). Also check out the "iguana farm" near French Harbor. TACA Air is the only airline that flies to the island. If you are looking for luxury or pampering service, Roatan is not the place for you.

Diane, you're right, my mistake...call it a brain fart, but I still wonder why there wasn't any mention made of the 5 murders prior to those of the girls from Antioch College. Were they afraid of hurting tourism? <BR> <BR>Does anyone have a better suggestion that AKR in Roatan? WE have been looking in to it for a long time and can't decide where to stay.

Seeing as this is solely a dive resort and we want options we are now looking at Manta Resort or Lighthouse Reef resort in Belize so that we can dive for 3 days and then jungle hike/ruins for 3 days. Any tips anyone?

Cheri - last time we were down there, we looked at some of the higher-priced cabins on West End. By higher-priced, I mean out of the $5 - $15 back packer price range. We liked Half Moon Bay Cabins and Lost Paradise which both offered cabins around $70 a night. Half Moon Bay was on the quiet end of West End (not that any of it is really loud) and Lost Paradise was at the opposite end closer to the dive shops, restaurants, bars - and the Friday night "disco" at Foster's. Both Half Moon Bay Cabins and Lost Paradise are right on the water. If you aren't interested in West End and want a "resort" type place, you may want to look into Fantasy Island in French Harbour (I think) or something on the East End of the island. The places on the East End are usually more expensive and all-inclusive b/c there aren't a lot of restaurants out that way - and you'd definitely need a rental car (a 4 wheel drive) if you wanted to explore the island at all. I've also heard good things about The Inn of Last Resort which is near West End, but I've personally never checked it out. Hope this helps some.

Thanks Meg.